Will Messi break Klose's all-time FIFA World Cup goal record at WC 2026?

Can Lionel Messi surpass Miroslav Klose's career FIFA World Cup goal record (16 goals) at the 2026 World Cup? 📊 Context: On June 17, 2026 (MSK time) in Argentina's 3-0 group-stage win over Algeria, Messi scored a hat-trick to tie Klose at 16 career WC goals. One more goal in any WC 2026 match = record broken. ✅ YES: Messi scores at least 1 more goal in remaining WC 2026 matches (career total reaches 17+). ❌ NO: Argentina is eliminated AND Messi does not score, OR the final is played on July 19 2026 and Messi still has only 16 career WC goals. 🔧 Penalty-shootout goals do NOT count (FIFA rule). Regulation and extra-time goals count. Opponent own goals do not count for Messi. 📅 Argentina's next match: Monday June 22, 2026 at 20:00 MSK vs Austria (AT&T Stadium, Arlington). Source: official fifa.com statistics.